VEC welcomes electoral reforms recommended by Electoral Review Expert Panel

Tuesday 5 March 2024

For immediate release

---

Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel has welcomed the findings of the independent Electoral Review Expert Panel's report into Victoria's laws on political finance and electronic assisted voting.

'The VEC supports the panel's recommendations on the operation of Victoria's laws governing political funding, and donation disclosure and reporting, which have been in place since 2018,' Mr Bluemmel said.

'These recommendations largely echo those in our own submission and aim to make Victoria's political funding and donation laws simpler and more accessible, especially for first-time parties or candidates.'

The panel's findings reflect the need for robust audit, enforcement and oversight tools to complement a strong regulatory scheme. Further, those who attempt to avoid or escape their legal obligations should be held to account.

'The VEC supports a level playing field for all electoral participants. We appreciate the panel's recommendations to close known gaps in political donation rules and extend some of these laws to local council elections.'

The panel has also recognised the importance of electronic assisted voting, delivered through the VEC's telephone assisted voting service, for increasing accessibility for voters who cannot vote via traditional methods.

'We look forward to the State Government's response to the report and the realisation of the recommendations ahead of the next State election in November 2026.'

The VEC's submission can be found on the Electoral Review Expert Panel website.

The panel's report can be found on the Victorian Parliament website.